The French Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) announced on Wednesday 3 June that it entered into a FinTech coordination agreement with the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) to promote regulatory compliance and ensure that fintech innovators have a smooth entry into both markets.

From 26 May 2020, new rules are applicable for foreign investments in relation to strategic companies in Hungary. Similar rules have been also introduced last year regarding foreign investments in companies operating in the “traditional strategic sectors” (e.g. ammunition, arms and military equipment manufacturing, production of dual-use items and intelligence service equipment, electricity services etc.).

On 23 May 2020 the Law “On Improvement of Banking Regulation Mechanisms” (the Law) entered into force. The Law introduces significant amendments to the regulation of banking activity mainly in the field of the withdrawal of banks from the market. The adoption of the Law constituted one of the requirements of the International Monetary Fund for provision of financing to Ukraine.

To remain competitive, companies find themselves increasing their efforts to digitally transform their businesses by developing new offerings based on emerging technologies and integrating these technologies into existing product and service offerings. This is our fifth monthly bulletin for 2020, aiming to help companies identify important and significant legal developments governing the use and acceptance of blockchain technology, smart contracts and digital assets.